USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Southbridge > Town annual reports of the officers of Southbridge for the year ending 1896-1898 > Part 11
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6-649. Whittier, J. G. Complete poetical works
Musgrave
87
REPORT OF LIBRARY COMMITTEE.
SCIENCE AND EDUCATION.
7-828. 7-859. 7-861.
Atkinson, Edward. Science of nutrition
Bates, Arlo. Talks on writing English
Batterson, J. G. Gold and silver as currency
7-856.
Bohne, W. Handbook for opticians
7-858.
Brookings, W. D., and Ringwalt, R. C., editors. Briefs for debate
7-848. 7-855. 7-834.
Earle, Mrs. A. M. Costume of colonial times
Gardner, E. C. House that Jill built
Gibson, W. H. Our edible toadstools and mushrooms Hall, F. H. Social customs
7-854. 7-849. 7-838. 7-845. 7-847. 7-850. 7-831. 7-836.
Holt, Ardern. Fancy dresses described
Jonsson-Rose, N. Window and parlor gardening Lockyer, J. N., and Rutherford, W. Rules of golf
Martin, E. A. Story of a piece of coal
Mathews, F. S. Familiar trees and their leaves
Merriam, F. A. Birds through an opera glass
Pittenger, William. Toasts and poems of public address
7-837. 7-852.
Porter, L. H. Cycling for health and pleasure
Putnam, G. H. Books and their makers during the middle ages
7-830. 7-846. 7-833.
Ronald, Mary. Century cook book
Rousseau, J. J. Emile ; or, Treatise on education
Scudder, S. H. Frail children of the air : excursions into the world of butterflies
7-857. 7-860. 7-844.
Shinn, C. H. Story of the mine
Stokes, A. P. Joint-metallism
Tiffany, F. B. Anomalies of refraction and of the muscles of the eye
7-840. 7-851.
Tucker, A. H. Trees of Worcester
Walker, F. A. International bimetallism
7-839.
7-835.
White, Horace. Money and banking
Wilcox, M. A. Pocket guide to the common land birds of New England
88
REPORT OF LIBRARY COMMITTEE.
7-842-3. Wilson, H. W. Ironclads in action
7-832. Woods, R. A., and others. Poor in great cities
7-841. Wright, C. D. Industrial evolution of the United States.
LITERATURE AND ART.
8-1069.
Amherst book : a collection of stories, sketches and historical articles by alumni and undergraduates of Amherst college
8-1068. Bunner, H. C. Jersey street and Jersey lane
8-1059.
Burroughs, John. Pepacton
8-1063.
Curtis, G. W. From the easy chair .6 From the easy chair, third series Other essays from the easy chair
8-1065. 8-1064. 8-1061.
Farrar, F. W. and others. Westminster abbey and the cathedrals of England
8-1062.
Field, Eugene. Love affairs of a bibliomaniac
8-1067.
Howe, Mrs. J. W. Is polite society polite ? and other essays
8-1058.
8-1057.
Robinson, R. E. In New England fields and woods Saintsbury, George. History of 19th century litera- ture
8-1070-1. Thoreau, H. D. Cape Cod ; illus. ed.
8-1060.
Van Dyke, J. C. Old Dutch and Flemish masters ; engraved by Timothy Cole, with critical notes by Van Dyke and comments by the engraver
8-1066. Weston, J. L. Legends of the Wagner drama
RELIGION.
9-519. Balfour, A. J. Foundations of belief
9-520. Fletcher, Horace. Menticulture
9-525-30. Geikie, Cunningham. Hours with the Bible
9-522. Gladden, Washington. Burning questions
9-518. Gordon, G. A. Christ of today
89
REPORT OF LIBRARY COMMITTEE.
9-524.
Harris, George. Moral evolution
9-521. Lawrence, William. Visions and service
9-531. Maclaren, Ian, pseud. Mind of the Master
9-523. Strong, Josiah. New era
AGRICULTURE.
13-192. Collingwood, H. W. and others. Business hen
FRENCH BOOKS.
17-359. 17-358.
About, E. F. V. L'homme a l'oreille cassee La mere de la marquise Amicis, Edmondo de. Constantinople 66 La Hollande
17-381. 17-371. 17-374. 17-376. 17-375. 17-377. 17-365.
Coppee, Francois. Les urais riches
17-362.
Daudet, Alphonse. La Belle-Nivernaise Robert Helmont Le siege de Berlin et autres contes Enault, Louis. Carine Erckmann, Emile and Chatrian, Alexandre. Le brigadier Frederic
17-360.
17-361.
17-363.
Erekmann, Emile and Chatrian, Alexandre. Contes des bords du Rhin Erckmann, Emile and Chatrian, Alexandre. Les deux freres Erckmann, Emile and Chatrian, Alexandre. La maison forestiere France, Anatole, pseud. Le crime de Sylvestre Bonnard Gautier, Theophile. Le roman de la momie Hugo, Victor. Notre-dame de Paris
17-382.
17-370. 17-369. 17-373. 17-368. 17-366. 17-367.
Julliot, Francois de. Mademoiselle Solange
Loti, Pierre, pseud. Le livre de la pitie et de la mort
66
Madame Chrysantheme Pecheur d'Islande
90
REPORT OF LIBRARY COMMITTEE.
17-364. Madame Recamier : les amis de sa jeunesse et sa cor- respondance intime
17-378-80. Marbot, Marcellin, baron de. Memoires
17-383. Navery, Raoul de. Les idoles
17-357. Souvestre, Emile. Un philosophe sous les toits
REFERENCE BOOKS.
R-788. Adams, C. K. Manual of historical literature
R-784.
Annual American catalogue, 1895
R-789.
Appleton's annual cyclopædia, 1895
R-797.
Bartlett, John. New and complete concordance to words, phrases and passages in the works of Shakespeare
R-786.
Century cyclopedia of names
R-781.
Herndon, Richard, and Bacon, E. M. compilers. Men of progress in Massachusetts
R-785.
Lippincott's gazetteer of the world
R-796.
Massachusetts year book and city and town register, 1896-7
R-783.
St. Nicholas, Index, v. 1-21
R-787. Statesman's year-book for 1896
R-793.
Studer, J. H. editor. Birds of North America
R-795. Webster, Dudley, Southbridge, and Sturbridge direc tory, 1896-7
R-798.
World almanac and encyclopedia, 1897
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
BOARD OF SELECTMEN,
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
We give in brief the doings of the Selectmen for the past year. Large expenditures have been made. owing to demands made upon us. The appropriations made in the spring were not sufficient for the maintenance of some of the departments, whereby the accounts are quite largely overdrawn, but which will be fully explained in the detailed report of the Board of Auditors.
Highways.
Our highways and streets are in good condition. Perma- nent improvements have been made. The widening and filling of the Sandersdale road, and the widening of the street and building of the retaining wall near the Sturbridge line are im- provements that the Town may well be proud of. All special appropriations have been kept within the amounts. All money's have been used in a judicious and economical manner. Infor- mation received from Town Counsel, J. M. Cochran, that there are no cases now pending against the Town, all cases being declared off. For our highways we would recommend the sum of $6,500.
Contingent.
This account is overdrawn, owing to contingencies that have arisen the past year. The retaining wall at Central street bridge, and the walls of the brooks under Main and Marcy streets were rebuilt from this account. We would recommend the sum of $2,500 for this account.
94
REPORT OF SELECTMEN.
Sidewalks.
The old brick walks are fast giving way to concrete, as the bricks are becoming very much worn and in fact dangerous. Under the vote of the Town, the Selectmen have had con- structed two new walks, Summer street and Elm street exten- sion walks, which are now public walks belonging to the town. No town in the Commonwealth can show better constructed sidewalks than our own. We would recommend the sum of $1,200 for this account.
Railings.
During the past year we have been obliged to build about 2,500 feet of new railing to protect the Town's interests, and the general repairs of the old railings has overdrawn the account. We would recommend the sum of $500 for this account.
Bridges.
The bridges of the Town are all in good condition. Most of them have been inspected, and, if needed, were repaired. The town of Dudley rebuilt the abutments of the bridge at West Dudley, under a contract made between the towns of Dudley and Southbridge a number of years ago, whereby the Town of Southbridge was to pay one-third of the expense of keeping the bridge in repair. We would recommend the sum of $400 for this account.
Insurance.
As a number of policies expire this coming year, we would recommend the sum of $800 for this account.
95
REPORT OF SELECTMEN.
Fire Department.
The fire department is in efficient hands. The Chief, with his able associates, has succeeded in getting this department so it now stands as one of the best equipped and best manned fire departments in the State. For detailed account, look at the Chief's report. We would recommend the sum of $1.850 for this account.
Town Hall Contingent.
We have to the credit of this account $569.31, and with the $500 from school fund, we would recommend the sum of 8500 for this account.
War Relief.
This account has been drawn heavily upon, owing to the demands made for assistance. Some of the old soldiers are getting past work. The pensions which they draw are not suf- ficient for their maintenance, consequently they must be helped from this appropriation. We would recommend the sum of $1,000 for this account.
Militia.
We would recommend the sum of $200 for this account.
Street Lights.
We would recommend the sum of $6,000 for this account.
96
REPORT OF SELECTMEN.
Shade Trees.
Complaints have come to the Selectmen of the cutting down and removing of shade trees standing along our highways. We herein print Sec. 15 of the By-Laws of the Town:
SECTION 15. No person shall cut down or remove any ornamental or shade trees standing in a highway. town way or street, unless the same obstructs such ways or endangers, hind- ers or incommodes persons traveling thereon, without first giving notice of his intention to one or more of the Selectmen or Road Commissioners of the town ; and if the Selectmen or Road Commissioners desire to retain the tree they shall give notice of such desire to such person within ten days thereafter; and the damages caused by the retaining of said tree shall be determined in the same manner as in a case of damage by the alteration of such highway, town way or street.
O. B. E. CHIPMAN, J. M. OLNEY, THOMAS SANDERS, Selectmen of Southbridge.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
OVERSEERS of the POOR.
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
Farm and Almshouse.
Amount of orders drawn, $1,629 00, against $2,058 last year, a decrease of $428.
Whole number of inmates, 21, with an average of 17 all the year.
The net cost is $1 53 per week, which includes services of Superintendent and Matron, hired help, telephone service and purchase of two fire extinguishers. The inventory, $3,544, shows a shrinkage of $37 from last year.
The management of the property by Mr. and Mrs. George F. Northup, Superintendent and Matron, has been to the satis- faction and approval of the Overseers, who have engaged their services for another year, and will commence their nineteenth year of continuous service.
The expenditures have been kept within the appropriation with a credit balance of $800 23.
For the ensuing year we recommend an appropriation of $2,000, and $200 for Repairs of Buildings.
100
REPORT OF OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
Outside Poor.
The Overseers of the Poor have drawn 224 orders. For the Outside Poor $5,488 61. For the Farm and Almshouse, $1,629 82. For Repairs of Buildings, $124.60. Total, $7,243 03. The total expense to the town is $5,058 61. This includes $2,256 paid for the insane in Hospital, $257 paid other towns for persons having settlements in this town, $109 paid in this town for persons having settlements in other towns, $321 paid for the State for unsettled persons, $161 80 for 1,618 tramps. The Hospital charges amount to 41 per cent. of the account. The full amount, $169 92, an account paid Worcester Hospital for Annie Monroe, has been paid to the town by James Monroe. The expenditures have been kept within the appropriation, with a credit balance of $791 81. Inmates in hospitals and other institutions :
Catherine Tynan, Hendrick L. Smith,
John Coldrick,
Mary Kavanaugh,
Thomas Boyle,
John Brogan, James W. Ryan, Edward H. Hill,
James Minns, Nazarine Lamont.
For the ensuing year we recommend an appropriation of $5,000.
C. A. PAIGE, W. C. CALLAHAN, F. GATINEAU,
Overseers of the Poor.
101
REPORT OF OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
Inventory of Personal Property at the Alms= house and Farm, Feb. 28, 1897.
Class 1, Stock, $1,128 80
2, Hay and Grain, 424 75
3, Carts, wagons, farming tools, 870 46
4, Household furniture, 342 70
5. Beds and bedding, 300 00
6, Family supplies, 477 79
Inventory of 1896,
$3,544 50 $3,581 54
Shrinkage over last year, $37 04
HENRY A. MORSE, S. K. EDWARDS, ANDREW H. MORSE,
Appraisers.
Account of Cash
Received and paid Town Treasurer by C. A. Paige for ac- count of Overseers of Poor for the year ending February 28, 1897 :
James Monroe, for hospital charges, $169 92 City of Worcester, aid Alfred Bushee, 67 00
Town of Williamsburg, aid Helen L. With- erell, 3 00
102
REPORT OF OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
Town of Sturbridge, aid Mrs. William Julien, $37 00 Town of Spencer, aid Mrs. Brunelle, 61 00
Received from Mrs. Aaron W. Wright, 11 00
Geo. F. Northup, sales of produce at Farm, 276 10
$625 02
Inmates of Almshouse.
The following persons have been inmates a part or all of the year. Those marked * were inmates March 1, 1897.
*John Clark, aged 91
#Charles Congdon. aged 51
*Lucy Harding, aged 67
*John Murphy, aged 73
*Catherine Welch, aged 81
*Daniel Holden,
aged 76
*Regina Fogle,
aged 75
+Sarah McColgan,
aged 57
*Thomas Kerwin,
aged 54
*John Mack,
aged 76
*Caroline Clark,
aged 84
+Lewis Homans,
+ Ann Coldrick,
aged 68 aged 61
*John Foley,
aged 90
*Catherine Foley, aged 74
*Julia Carney, aged 69
*Thomas Grant,
aged 38
103
REPORT OF OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
* Adelia Davis,
aged 60
Wm. Dalton,
aged 40
Mrs. McGraw, aged 65
Aaron W. Wright,
aged 50
Twenty-one in all, average 17.
C. A. PAIGE, W. C. CALLAHAN, F. GATINEAU.
Overseers of the Poor.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
CEMETERY COMMITTEE.
CEMETERY COMMITTEE.
Report of Cemetery Committee.
The work of the Superintendent. Samuel Williams, has been to the satisfaction and approval of the Committee. We submit his report as part of our own, giving details of the work. The fund now amounts to $8,599.25, a gain of $605. and will be further iucreased for lots already sold as soon as paid. We repeat from our report of last year that the amount will soon reach $10,000, if our citizens act wisely and purchase lots and provide for perpetual care. L. S. Ammidown and F. P. Pratt, members of the Committee, have died during the year. Both were much interested and gave willingly and freely much time to help carry out the work now so well com- menced. Mr. Ammidown served many years on the Committee and rendered valuable service. The vacancies caused by their death have been filled by Jacob Booth and William D. Morse. We again invite our citizens to join with the Superintendent and contribute to make the Cemetery beautiful and attractive. Every dollar paid for lots and perpetual care goes to increase the Cemetery Fund now invested in-
Southbridge Savings Bank. $1.600 00
Worcester County Institution of Savings, 1,000 00
Salem Savings Bank.
1,000 00
Ware Savings Bank,
1,000 00
Dedham Institution of Savings, 1,000 00
People's Savings Bank, Worcester. 1.000 00
108
REPORT OF CEMETERY COMMITTEE.
Worcester Five Cent Savings Bank, $890 00
Amherst Savings Bank, 940 00
Mechanics Savings Bank, Worcester,
169 25
$8,599 25
The interest of the fund can be used only for Cemetery improvements. We recommend an appropriation for the ensu- ing year of $2,500.
C. A. PAIGE,
A. W. OLDS, T. JEROME HARRINGTON, JACOB BOOTH, W. D. MORSE. Cemetery Committee.
Superintendent's Report.
TO THE CEMETERY COMMITTEE :
Gentlemen : The past year has been a very important one for the Cemetery, in the amount of improvements made. The Town has been in the habit of voting money to keep it clean, grass cut, avenues and lots in order, and what little was left would be used for permanent improvements. Last year the Town very generously voted an additional sum of fifteen hundred dollars, which was used to do work which could never have been done by piecemeal. High, unsightly places have been cut down, and low places filled, at the same time opening up a fine view to the lower part of the Cemetery, making what was poorly adapted for burial purposes some of the finest lots in the yard. In making this improvement, thousands of loads of sand, gravel and rocks were removed, which were used in building new roads : 2,797 feet were thus .
109
REPORT OF CEMETERY COMMITTEE.
built, which required an average fill of about two feet. If the Town had not voted this extra sum, we should have been obliged to use the land as it was for burial purposes, after which it would forever have remained an unsightly part of the yard. for it is impossible to change the grade of lots after they are occupied, and the road mentioned above would have remained unbuilt for lack of material. We worked as long as the money lasted. The work was thoroughly done as far as we went and much remains to be done. If the Town should think best to continue the same policy and vote as much money as last year. it would complete all the large improvements and put the yard twenty years ahead, after which a small appropriation may be required for a few years ; then it is hoped the income from the permanent fund will be sufficient to keep the yard in order.
The ideas and plans laid out when your Superintendent was first appointed, have been continued, avenues kept in order, grass mowed, monuments cleaned and reset. old lots newly graded. fertilizers freely used. trees and shrubs set out: the flower beds were the finest we ever had and were much admired. We put in 611 feet of paved gutters with a large culvert sufficient to take all the water, which will prevent much wash- ing and damage to the avenues.
The large pine trees. also the rocks in the lower part of the yard, have all been preserved as much as possible; the trees have been trimmed, brush cut, grounds graded, seats placed in convenient places, making it a beautiful grove where persons when visiting the Cemetery can have a cool and pleasant place to rest.
The pine grove on the hill on the easterly side of the brook has been thoroughly cleaned, trees trimmed and dead ones removed, which adds much to the appearance of the yard.
Work for this year contemplates finishing the work com- menced last summer-the building of a lake on the easterly side of Cemetery where the brook runs, building about 900 feet of new road, which will complete all there is laid out on plan,
110
REPORT OF CEMETERY COMMITTEE.
removing material near the Coombs street entrance, and grad- ing the lot adjoining.
It is estimated that the same amount as raised last year, $2,500, would accomplish all the above work.
It has been gratifying to notice the increasing interest shown by our citizens and their desire to see the work carried to its completion .
Respectfully submitted, SAMUEL WILLIAMS, Superintendent.
Cemetery Fund.
RECEIPTS.
By balance, March 1, 1896,
$7,994 25
Received since for sale and perpetual care
of lots-
Samuel Hager, lot,
$25 00
Frank C. Penniman, lot,
40 00
Arthur E. Dillaber, half lot,
25 00
Jude T. Mckinstry, lot,
40 00
Esten & Litchfield, lot,
75 00
For Perpetual care-
C. A. Dresser,
50 00
Mrs. Sarah J. Carpenter, S. P. Irwin, lot,
50 00
Mrs. E. T. Lovejoy, 50 00
Alpha M. Cheney,
50 00
Estate Joel Cheney,
50 00
Estate Mrs. Wm. E. Alden,
50 00
Marrilla J. Richards,
50 00
F. W. Townsend,
50 00
$605 00
$8,599 25
Gain for the year, $605.
111
REPORT OF CEMETERY COMMITTEE.
Cemetery Improvements.
RECEIPTS.
By balance, March 1, 1896, Appropriation,
$7 64
1,000 00
Interest on Cemetery Fund,
339 34
N. E. Putney, lawn mower,
4 00
For work grading lots-
Esten & Litchfield,
$24 00
Mrs. Almira Ammidown,
24 00
C. H. Pellett,
24 00
Mrs. H. B. Dresser,
24 00
Mrs. Lament Upham,
24 00
Mrs. William E. Alden,
24 00
F. C. Penniman,
10 00
George L. Clemence,
8 00
Grass sold,
10 00
$172 00
$1,522 98
EXPENDITURES.
Paid Samuel Williams, Superintendent, for men, teams, tools, supplies, etc., with 33 itemized bills, approved by the Committee and Auditors, $1,330 36
Paid Samuel Williams, salary as Super- intendent, 150 00
$1,480 36
Balance to credit of account March 1, 1897,
$42 62
112
REPORT OF CEMETERY COMMITTEE.
Special Cemetery Appropriation.
RECEIPTS.
Special appropriation,
$1.500 00
EXPENDITURES.
Paid John A. Whittaker, surveying, $5 00
Paid Samuel Williams, for self. men. teams, etc., with 13 itemized bills approved by the Committee and Auditors, 1,495 00
$1,500 00
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
OFFICE OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE,
SOUTHBRIDGE, March 10, 1897.
The Chairman and Superintendent presented the annual reports for the school year ending February 27, 1897.
Voted to accept the reports and adopt them as the report of the Committee.
J. T. CLARKE, Secretary.
School Officials and Teachers.
School Committee for 1896-97.
REV. S. HAYWARD,
REV. J. B. DRENNAN,
GEORGE M. LOVELL, Term expires 1898
A. J. BARTHOLOMEW, HENRY WHITTAKER,
F. X. TETRAULT.
Term expires 1897
Term expires 1897
Term expires 1898
Term expires 1899 Term expires 1899
Officers of School Board.
REV. SILVANUS HAYWARD, Chairman. GEORGE M. LOVELL, Secretary. Regular monthly meeting first Tuesday evening at 8 o'clock. J. T. CLARKE, Superintendent of Schools and Clerk of the Board. Office, Town Hall.
Office Hours : School days, 4 to 5 p. m .; 7 to 7.30 Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday evenings.
Names of Teachers, March, 1897.
HIGH SCHOOL.
Fred E. Corbin, Principal. Sarah L. O'Toole and Ransom P. Nichols, Assistants.
116
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
Elizabeth G. Dinan, Mary Belle Sherman, Alice Holmes, Isabella P. Taylor.
INTERMEDIATE.
Louise O. Twombly, Mary E. Meagher, Jane Farquhar, Mary E. Clemence, Mabel T. Hardy.
PRIMARY.
Mabel J. Newell, A. Rebecca Rowley, Mrs. S. M. Knight, Agnes M. Meagher, Mary A. Ellis, Mary E. McCabe, Martha Cutting, Alice B. Aldrich, Margaret G. Butler, Carolyn H. Parker, Mabel E. Raftery.
UNGRADED.
Ida M. Plimpton, Clara P. Chase, Mary L. Boardman, Margaret L. O'Hara.
Special Teacher of Drawing, Anna F. Eager.
Special Teacher of Music, Mrs. H. N. Carpenter.
Report of School Committee.
TO THE CITIZENS OF SOUTHBRIDGE :
Almost nothing new can be said in reference to the school interests of the town. Committees come and Committees go, but the same old difficulties still stare us in the face, that for twenty years have disturbed our peace.
Fifteen years since, the Committee of that time reported that 500 children had been taken out of the public schools, "four of which were closed for lack of scholars, and in others the ranks were decimated." Probably few of the citizens realize or stop to cousider that from that time we have, as a town, had to provide rooms, books, and teachers for only a little more than one-half the children required by law to attend school. When private citizens have relieved us of the care of nearly half our pupils, there can be no ground for pleading poverty and high taxes, and it is only reasonable that we should furnish better rooms and higher opportunities for those who re- main, by using for their benefit a good part, at least, of what we should have been obliged to spend for the others.
When year after year the business agent of some manu- facturing company reports increasing orders, with insufficient machinery, crowded rooms rendering efficient work impossible, much work unfinished and what is done imperfect, and has con- tinually urged the company to provide the needed facilities, and that to no avail, although they own land and power enough to accomplish all that the business demands, he will be con- vinced that his annual reports are to them but an empty form. He will, however, be assured that they cannot justly hold him in any degree responsible for poor work, and diminishing divi- dends.
118
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
The town has been kept informed of the needs of the schools. That these needs are not met, that results are far from satisfactory to those who know what true education means, is at present wholly the responsibility of the citizens themselves. Committees and teachers are powerless, when the earnest co- operation, and ready response of the parents fails. They are entirely helpless in the present state of affairs. The whole remedy is in your hands. You own a lot in every respect un- surpassed, if not unequalled, for the location of a building that would be an honor to the town, and a blessing to generations of children. No valid objection has been presented, or can be given, why the town should not at once set about erecting on this lot such a building as was unanimously recommended by the special committee of representative men whom you ap- pointed to investigate the matter. The conclusions of this committee were deliberate, clear, and decisive. Whatever change in the condition has since occurred, only serves to make the demand for immediate action more urgent, and the wisdom of their recommendation more manifest. Once more we plead with you in the name of your children, the best gift and the highest responsibility that this life can bring, no longer to delay this step, more important than any other that has come, or can come to your consideration as an incorporated town.
We ask every parent to read carefully the valuable report of our faithful co-laborer, the Superintendent of Schools. His report together with the financial statement herewith presented will inform you to some extent how, for the year now closing, we have administered the important trust you committed to our hands.
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